Main duties of the job
1. Band 6
2. Act as a Surgical First Assistant (SFA) across a range of surgical specialties, providing skilled intraoperative support to the operating surgeon.
3. Assist with surgical procedures including tissue retraction, haemostasis, suturing, and wound closure, in accordance with scope of practice and competency.
4. Prepare the operating theatre, ensuring all instruments, equipment, and consumables are available and functioning prior to procedures.
5. Maintain and promote strict adherence to aseptic technique and infection prevention and control policies.
6. Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary theatre team to ensure safe, effective, and efficient patient care throughout the perioperative pathway.
7. Support patient positioning, ensuring safety, dignity, and comfort at all times.
8. Anticipate the needs of the surgical team to facilitate smooth progression of procedures.
9. Participate in surgical counts and ensure compliance with theatre safety protocols, including the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist.
10. Assist in the management of surgical specimens in line with Trust policy.
11. Contribute to the monitoring and maintenance of high standards of care, reporting any concerns or incidents appropriately.
12. Support teaching, supervision, and mentorship of junior staff and students where appropriate.
13. Maintain accurate, timely, and legally compliant documentation.
14. Engage in continuous professional development and maintain competencies relevant to the SFA role.
Working for our organisation
UHD are investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently. Recruiting Managers will be happy to answer any service-specific questions at interview.
If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions.
UHD has active networks including Women’s, BAME, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes.
AI tools may be used, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience. Integrity is key to our recruitment process.
Person specification
Documentation
Essential criteria
15. Recognised Surgical First Assistant qualification (Part 1)
16. Registered Practitioner (Nurse or ODP – NMC/HCPC)
Desirable criteria
17. Evidence of perioperative course/module
18. Degree or equivalent
19. Evidence of practice as an SFA
Documentation
Essential criteria
20. Relevant theatre experience
Desirable criteria
21. General Gynaecology and urology laparoscopic, and open experience